China's second manned space flight will take place within two years, but the launch could be moved up, the Chengdu Evening News cited Xu Dazhe, vice general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, as saying.

Compared with Shenzhou V, which lifted China's first man into orbit earlier this month, Shenzhou VI will have more interior space to accommodate three astronauts rather than one, Xu said.

After having accomplished a manned space flight, the next priority for China will be to try a space walk and eventually set up its own station, Xu was quoted as saying.

His remarks seemed to contradict statements by the chief engineer of the Shenzhou V rocket, who said China would launch two astronauts into orbit next time.

SPACE.WIRE